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Five have fun at cross country

14 January 2024 (by D.Cartwright)

Five Radcliffe Athletic Club members enjoyed perfect conditions at their latest cross country race.

They travelled to Tatton Park for Saturday’s well-organised event, the second fixture in the Manchester Area Cross Country League.

Karen Doherty was the club’s first finisher in the women’s 8.2k race, running 46:56 on the largely flat course which had little mud. The club’s next finisher was Louise Shield in 54:57. Tracy Wroe ran 58:00 and Helen Kay was hot on her heels in 58:15.

Simon Foulkes flew the flag for Radcliffe in the men’s 9.65k race, clocking 46:22.

Two RAC members took part in Sunday’s East Lancashire Hospice 10k in Greater Harwood which attracted a field of 371 runners. Rob Shiels was fourth MV45, and a superb 26th overall, in 41:16, while Mark Taylor ran 47:00 to finish 67th.

While temperatures dropped at home, the thermometer hit 27C as Ken Smith ran 26.47 at the picture-perfect Claisebrook Cove parkrun while on holiday in Perth, Western Australia. Despite the heat, he was first VM65 in 26:47.

There were great times closer to home as well, with members running at a variety of Saturday morning 5k parkruns.

The largest turnout was at Heaton Park where junior Benji Tighe bagged a parkrun pb. He finished in 36:41, just a second ahead of his mum, Lucie. Benji was supported by fellow juniors Skyler Parry and Grace O’Donnell, and they all crossed the line within seconds of each other.

Rob Shiels was the club’s first finisher at the event, finishing 34th in 20:00. Next was Donna Cartwright who was first VW45 in 21:39, followed by Mark Taylor (22:31) and Dominic Parry (26:00). Peter Warr was pleased with his time of 29:23, his first under 30 minutes since August, and also running were Sara Parry (39:26), Brennan Tighe (42:46) and Charles Whalley (48:06).

Julie Robertson was the fourth woman home in 25:47 at Bolton parkrun. She was joined by Mark Williams who clocked 24:52 while Kath Davies was first VW60 in 28:54.

At Chadderton Hall, Elaine Bailey was first VW65 in 32:19 while junior Oliver Swan ran 34:22 with his dad Ian.

Tracy Wroe warmed up for cross country by running 41:54 at Worsley Woods. Helen Kay did the same with a time of 33:39 at Hyndburn, where she was joined by Bev Quinton who ran 45:26.

Sheila Jones was first VW65 at Peel in 24:14 and Alison Howarth clocked 26:14. Stephen Crowe ran 32:09 at Ormskirk and Katherine Biddle finished in 26:32 at Old Railway Trail, Llangollen.

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